Tray system for stepladders or the like, and method therefore

ABSTRACT

A portable table or shelf support surface formed for ready engagement to the upper portion of a stepladder or the like. The support surface has an opening formed therethrough for receiving the upper portion of the stepladder. A receiver is formed at the opening, with walls emanating from the underside at an angle commensurate with the angle of the exterior edges of the front and rear stiles forming the open stepladder, so as to directly engage and receive support from said stiles. A spreader bar is provided to engage the upper portion of the stiles or the underside of the top step of the ladder, and apply pressure via first and second threaded members to the upper portion of the surface mounted about the ladder, the threaded members having foot pads formed to apply downward pressure so as to anchor and stabilize the support surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

No funds were provided by the Federal Government for research or development of the present invention.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to horizontally situated, planar support surfaces, and in particular to a portable tray, table or shelf support surface formed to readily engage the upper portion of a stepladder or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A stepladder is generally formed of front and rear sets of stiles hingedly attached to a top step so as to, when opened, form a generally inverted “V” configuration, with the front set of stiles having a series of evenly spaced rungs or steps mounted thereto for use as steps by the user. Pivotal stays are provided generally medially between the front and rear stiles to retain the opened ladder in an open position.

Stepladders are a necessary tool for many craftsman such as painters, carpenters or the like. During such operations, there often exists a need to have on hand, while on the ladder, a variety of materials, tools, and or implements. The prior art has contemplated various brackets and support surfaces which may engage the ladder to provide to the user a means of readily supporting, mounting, or holding the necessary item(s).

However, these types of devices are believed to suffer from various shortcomings. Many of the devices fail to provide a truly stable support surface, while others are very specialized in the type of items being supported. Still other devices are only made for certain types of operations, or require a custom configured ladder in order to work.

It is therefore believed that the prior art has failed to contemplate a table or shelf-type horizontal support system which readily mounts to a standard step ladder and provides a stable and generally reliable support.

GENERAL SUMMARY DISCUSSION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates a support surface which is generally rectilinear in configuration, and has an opening formed generally medially therethrough for receiving the upper portion of the stepladder. A receiver is formed generally through the support surface at the opening, the receiver having walls emanating from the underside of the support surface, the walls having an interior surface formed at an angle commensurate with the angle of the exterior edges of the front and rear stiles forming the open stepladder, so that the inner sidewalls of the receiver directly engage and are supported by said stiles.

To stabilize the support surface, an expansion clamp, spreader bar, or the like is provided to engage the underside of the upper portion of the stiles and/or the underside of the top step of the latter, said spreader bar having first and second ends having laterally emanating therefrom first and second threaded members formed to have an adjustable length to engage the upper portion of the surface mounted about the ladder, the threaded members having foot pads formed to apply pressure upon the support surface, so as to anchor and stabilize same.

The present invention thereby provides a table or shelf-type horizontal support system which readily mounts to a standard step ladder, while and providing a more stable and reliable support than prior art systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are given like reference numerals, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side, isometric view of the support surface of the present invention installed upon a step ladder, with the spreader bar situated for anchoring the unit in place.

FIG. 2 is an upper, isometric view of the support surface of the invention of FIG. 1, illustrating the generally rectilinear configuration and the placement of the receiver.

FIG. 3 is an isometric, exploded view of FIG. 1 illustrating the installation of the support surface upon the ladder, as well as the installation of the spreader bar between the top step of the step ladder and the upper surface of the support surface.

FIG. 4 is an upper, isometric view of the inverted support surface of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is side, cross-sectional view of the support surface of FIG. 2, illustrating the end wall configuration of the front and rear end walls of the receiver.

FIG. 6 is a side, cross-sectional view of the support surface of FIG. 2, illustrating the sidewall configuration of the first and second side walls of the receiver.

FIG. 7 is a side, close-up view of the spreader bar situated between the stiles in the vicinity to the top step of the ladder, or the underside of the top step, and the upper surface of the support surface.

DETAILED DISCUSSION OF THE INVENTION

The planar support S of the present invention is particularly suitable for such activities as painting, including detailed painting procedures such as faux painting or the like, and has been referred to as a “faux caddy”.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6 The planar support S is installed upon a standard, off-the-shelf step ladder L (such as that illustrated in FIG. 3), the ladder having front 1, 1′ and rear 3, 3′ sets of stiles, each of the stiles having top 2 and bottom 2′ ends, the front 1, 1′ stiles situated in parallel arrangement relative each other (having a uniform width 4 therebetween), as are the rear 3, 3′ stiles, the front stiles having evenly spaced stairs or rungs 5, 5′ situated therebetween. The top 2 of each of the sets 1, 1′ and 3, 3′ of stiles are hingedly 7, 7′ affixed to opposing ends of a top step 6 having an underside 6′ so that the stiles can be selectively pivotally opened 8 for use, or closed for storage. When fully pivoted to the open position, the opposing front and rear stiles are held in position via pivotable stays 9 situated therebetween.

The support surface 10 which forms a table or shelf-like support surface has first 11 and second 11′ edges and front 12 and rear 12′ ends (which may be raised as shown to prevent spillage), a topside 13 and an underside 13′, shown in an exemplary rectilinear configuration. Generally medially situated from a lengthwise perspective (and near the front 12 end depthwise) is an opening 15 formed therethrough having a width 13 and depth 14′ for receiving the upper portion of the step ladder.

Emanating from the underside 13′ of the support surface 10, about the opening 15, are front 16 and rear 16′ angled receiver walls having angles 17, 17′ respectively, said angles commensurate with the angles of the front 1, 1′ and rear 3, 3′ stiles, respectively. First 18 and second 18′ side receiver walls join the opposing ends of the angled 16, 16′ receiver walls at a perpendicular angle relative to the underside of the support surface, to complete formation of the receiver R. The receiver R is configured such that the the side receiver walls 18, 18′ engage the sides of the stiles, while the angled front receiver wall 16 and rear 16′ receiver walls are situated adjacent to and engage at their inner sides 31, 31′ the outer edges 19, 19′ of the front 1, 1′ and rear 3, 3′ sets of stiles.

For example, if the stiles of the ladder, when opened, extend at an 11 degree angle with regard to the vertical, ideally the angled receiver walls 16, 16′ would likewise be situated at an 11 degree angle, and, when the unit is lowered 20 upon the step ladder such that the top step 6 protrudes through opening 15 and said walls 16, 16 are formed to “ride” upon and are supported by the outer edge of the stiles 1, 1′ and 3, 3′ respectively, as shown in FIG. 1. As shown, the unit is installed upon the ladder such that the front end 12 is associated with the front stiles 1, 1′, so as to provide the most maneuverability and safety during use, with the main planar support areas to the side and opposing end of the ladder from the steps. The opening is shown as having a rectilinear configuration, but may vary with the configuration of the ladder used therewith.

Continuing with FIGS. 1, 3, and 4-7, a spreader bar 21 is utilized to anchor the unit in place. Once the tray unit or planar support S is in place upon the ladder, a spreader bar 21 having first 22 and second 22′ ends, each end having an aperture 23, 23′ formed laterally therethrough, respectively, is positioned 26 between the underside 6′ of the top step 6 of the stepladder, and the top 13 of the support surface 10. The spreader bar 21 has first 24 and second 24′ bolts formed to engage threaded nuts 45, 45′ aligned with apertures 23, 23′ respectively, the bolt further having footers 25, 25′ at their end distal the bolt head to engage support surface 10. It is noted that the footers may include rubber grommets, or be rubberized, to prevent marring of the support surface. It is also noted that, in lieu of bolts 24, 24′, the apertures 23, 23′ may be threaded. Also, it is noted that, in lieu of a standard bolt head for bolts, 24, 24′, a wingnut head may be provided for manually tightening by hand.

In use, once placed between the top step of the stepladder and the support surface of the planar support as shown, the bolt head is rotated 27 so that the treads 28 in each bolt engage their respective bolt 24, 24′ aligned with aperture in the spreader bar to distance 29 the spreader bar from the support surface 10, the spreader bar engaging the upper portion of the stiles (or the underside of the top step of the step ladder, depending upon the ladder design, applying pressure 30 to the spreader bar and anchoring the receiver of the planar support firmly against the stiles of the ladder, so as to stabilize the support system S upon the ladder.

The present system thereby provides a horizontally situated planar support, which can be in the form of a caddy, table, tray, or shelf-like support system for an off-the-shelf stepladder which is easy to install, relatively inexpensive to fabricate, and stable in operation.

A method of use of the present invention may thereby be summarized as follows:

The method of providing a support on a stepladder having a top step and front and rear stiles situated at an angle, comprising the steps of:

a) providing:

-   -   i. a planar support surface having a length, a front end, a rear         end, and an underside, said planar surface having formed         therethrough an opening sized to receive the top step of the         step ladder therethrough;     -   ii. a receiver comprising front and rear walls emanating from         the underside of said opening formed in said planar support,         said front and rear walls having an inner surface each situated         at an opposing angle from one another commensurate with the         angle of the front and rear stiles of the step ladder,         respectively, said front end aligned with and situated closest         to said front end of said planar support; and     -   iii. a spreader bar having first and second ends, each of said         ends having threaded connections formed laterally therethrough,         said threaded connections each receiving a threaded linear         fastener (for example, a bolt) therethrough;

b. placing said planar support surface on said step ladder such that said top step protrudes through said opening, and said inner surface of said front wall engages and rides upon front stiles and said inner surface of said rear wall of said receiver engages an rides upon said rear stiles;

c. situating said spreader bar placed between said installed support and said top step of said step ladder; and

d. tightening said first and second threaded fasteners on said spreader bar so as to urge said planar support surface away from said top step, forcing said receiver walls against said stiles, and anchoring said support securely upon said step ladder.

The present invention should not be considered as limited to anchoring the exemplary support surface, as the spreader bar may be utilized for anchoring other supports on a step ladder. Accordingly, the method could be summarized as follows:

The method of anchoring a support having a top side to a step ladder having a top step and front and rear stiles situated at an angle, comprising the steps of:

a. providing a spreader bar having first and second ends,

b. situating said spreader bar under said top step;

c. situating said spreader bar placed between said support and said top step of said step ladder; and

d. expanding said spreader bar so as to urge said support away from said top step, forcing said support against said stiles, and anchoring said support securely upon said step ladder.

Recitation of the Elements Element Description S Support system L step ladder 1, 1′ front stiles 2, 2′ top, bottom ends 3, 3′ rear stiles  4 width 5, 5′ rungs or steps 6, 6′ top step, underside  7 hinged connections  8 opened  9 stays 10 support surface 11 first and second side edges 12 front and rear ends 13, 13′ top portion, bottom portion 14, 14′ width, depth of opening 15 opening 16, 16′ rear, front receiver walls 17, 17′ angles 18 side receiver walls 19 outer edges 20 over 21 spreader bar 22, 22′ first, second ends 23, 23′ apertures 24, 24′ bolts 25, 25′ foot 26 into 27 rotate 28 bolt threads 29 raise spreader bar 30 lower footer, securing support surface to ladder 31 inner sides 45, 45′ nuts

The invention embodiments herein described are done so in detail for exemplary purposes only, and may be subject to many different variations in design, structure, application and operation methodology. Thus, the detailed disclosures therein should be interpreted in an illustrative, exemplary manner, and not in a limited sense. 

1) A support for a stepladder having a top step and front and rear stiles situated at an angle, comprising: a planar support surface having a length, a front end, a rear end, and an underside, said planar surface having formed therethrough an opening sized to receive the top step of the step ladder therethrough; a receiver comprising front and rear walls emanating from the underside of said opening formed in said planar support, said front and rear walls having an inner surface each situated at an opposing angle from one another commensurate with the angle of the front and rear stiles of the step ladder, respectively, said front end aligned with and situated closest to said front end of said planar support; whereby, upon placement of said planar support surface on said step ladder such that said top step protrudes through said opening, said inner surface of said front wall engages and rides upon front stiles and said inner surface of said rear wall of said receiver engages an rides upon said rear stiles, so as to provide an installed support. 2) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein there is further provided a spreader bar having first and second ends, each of said ends having a threaded connector formed laterally therethrough, said threaded connector each having a threaded fastener engaged thereto, said spreader bar formed such that, when placed between said installed support and said top step of said step ladder, and upon tightening said first and second threaded fasteners, said spreader bar urges said planar support surface away from said top step, forcing said receiver over said stiles, and anchoring said support securely upon said step ladder. 3) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said support comprises a table. 4) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said support comprises a tray. 5) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said support comprises a caddy. 6) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said support has a rectilinear configuration. 7) The method of providing a support on a stepladder having a top step and front and rear stiles situated at an angle, comprising the steps of: a) providing: i. a planar support surface having a length, a front end, a rear end, and an underside, said planar surface having formed therethrough an opening sized to receive the top step of the step ladder therethrough; ii. a receiver comprising front and rear walls emanating from the underside of said opening formed in said planar support, said front and rear walls having an inner surface each situated at an opposing angle from one another commensurate with the angle of the front and rear stiles of the step ladder, respectively, said front end aligned with and situated closest to said front end of said planar support; and iii. a spreader bar having first and second ends, each of said ends having threaded connectors formed laterally therethrough, said threaded connectors each having a fastener threadingly engaged therethrough; b. placing said planar support surface on said step ladder such that said top step protrudes through said opening, and said inner surface of said front wall engages and rides upon front stiles and said inner surface of said rear wall of said receiver engages an rides upon said rear stiles; c. situating said spreader bar placed between said installed support and said top step of said step ladder; and d. tightening said first and second threaded fasteners on said spreader bar so as to urge said planar support surface away from said top step, forcing said receiver walls against said stiles, and anchoring said support securely upon said step ladder. 8) The method of anchoring a support having a top side to a step ladder having a top step and front and rear stiles situated at an angle, comprising the steps of: a. providing a spreader bar having first and second ends, b. situating said spreader bar under said top step; c. situating said spreader bar placed between said support and said top step of said step ladder; and d. expanding said spreader bar so as to urge said support away from said top step, forcing said support against said stiles, and anchoring said support securely upon said step ladder. 9) The method of claim 8, wherein in step “a”, each of said ends of said spreader bar has threaded connectors formed laterally therethrough, said threaded connectors each having a threaded fastener therethrough and wherein in step “d”, said expansion of said spreader bar is facilitated by tightening said first and second threaded fasteners on said spreader bar so as to urge said support surface away from said top step. 